ARSENIC, INORGANIC COMPOUNDS (as As) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

ARSENIC, INORGANIC COMPOUNDS (as As)‡

Chemical Identification
CAS #	7440-38-2
Formula	As
Synonyms	arsenic metal; arsenia; others vary depending upon the specific arsenic compound.

Physical Properties
Physical description	Silver-gray or tin-white metal, brittle odorless solid.
Boiling point	1135°F (sublimes)	Molecular weight	74.92
Freezing point/melting point	1135°F (sublimes)	Vapor pressure	0 mmHg (approx)
Flash point		Vapor density
Specific gravity	5.73 (metal)	Ionization potential
Lower explosive limit (LEL)		Upper explosive limit (UEL)
NFPA health rating	3	NFPA fire rating	2
NFPA reactivity rating	0	NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	0260 (high sensitivity)
Sampling group	METALSSG-1
Sampler/Sampling media	Mixed cellulose ester filter (MCEF) 0.8 micron (37 mm) and filter spacer with Na₂CO₃ impregnated backup pad, in a 3-piece cassette [SKC 225-9001]
Sampling time^*	240-480 min
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	480-960 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	2 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Analytical method instruments	ICP
Method reference	OSHA 5003 (fully validated)
Notes	The METALSSG-1 sampling group members are analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to target the expanded standards metals As, Cd, and Pb with high sensitivity (clean samples and smear tabs only). If arsenic is the only analyte of interest, use the single analyte code 0260. If the filter is not overloaded, samples may be collected up to an 8-hour period. If As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb or Zn are detected, results will be provided.
Special requirements	For volatile arsenic compounds, a sodium carbonate-impregnated BUP is required in conjunction with the MCE filter [225-9001].

^* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media	Wipe with Whatman smear tab. [WHA1450993]
Bulk Method	Available

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA	10 µg/m³ [5 µg/m³ Action Level]	REL-TWA		TLV-TWA		PEL-TWA	0.01 mg/m³ [0.005 mg/m³ Action Level]
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL		TLV-STEL		PEL-STEL
PEL-C		REL-C	0.002 mg/m³ [15 minutes]	TLV-C		PEL-C
Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N
Notes: See See 29 CFR 1910.1018, Arsenic.		Notes: CARCINOGEN (Ca): REDUCE EXPOSURE TO LOWEST FEASIBLE CONCENTRATION. See Appendix A, NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens.		Notes: Visit the ACGIH TLV site for specific data BEI®. TLV for lead arsenate (3687-31-8) was withdrawn for insufficient data in 2009.		Notes:
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH	5 mg/m³
Carcinogenic classifications: EPA-A, IARC-1, NIOSH-Ca, NTP-K, OSHA-Ca, TLV-A1		Notes: Ca
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Arsenic

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Arsenic (Inorganic compounds, as As)

Literature References

EPA: Hazard Summary - Arsenic.
ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Arsenic [7440-38-2] and inorganic compounds, as As. See annual publication for most recent information.
ATSDR: Toxicological Profile for Arsenic. August 2007.
Col, M., Col, C., Soran, A., Sayli, B.S., Ozturk, S. Arsenic-related Bowen's disease, palmar keratosis, and skin cancer. Environmental Health perspectives. 107(8):687-689, 1999.
Kreuzer M, Straif K, Marsh JW, Dufey F, Grosche B, Nosske D, Sogl M. Occupational dust and radiation exposure and mortality from stomach cancer among German uranium miners, 1946-2003. Occup Environ Med. 69(3):217-23, March 2012.
Navas-Acien A, Sharrett AR, Silbergeld EK et al. Arsenic exposure and cardiovascular disease - A systematic review of the epidemiologic evidence. Am J Epidemiol. 162(11):1037-1049, 2005.
NIOSH: Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Inorganic Arsenic and its Compounds (as As) Potential Human Carcinogen. 1988.

Last Updated Date : 04/03/2024

Group Sampling Information
Sampling Media	Sampling Time (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Sampling Volume (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Flow Rate (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)
mixed cellulose ester filter (MCEF) 0.8 microns	240-480 min	480-960 L	2 L/min

Analytes Sampling Information
Analytes	IMIS Code	Wipe Sampling
Arsenic, Inorganic	0260	Use Whatman smear tab
Cadmium	C141	Use Whatman smear tab
Lead	1591	Use Whatman smear tab

Notes

There is no need to contact SLTC before sampling.

Request any or all of these analytes together using the respective analyte code listed.

Elemental results for unrequested analytes in this group and other metals known to be compatible with the analytical procedure will be reported if significant amounts are found.

Gravimetric pre-analysis may be requested if a sample is collected on a pre-weighted PVC filter obtained from SLTC. In this case request the relevant gravimetric analyte code along with the other(s).

ARSENIC, INORGANIC COMPOUNDS (as As)‡

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References